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Original poster

Why do people like driving an automatic?

200 replies

as141 · 22/03/2021 17:53

Waited a long time due to the pandemic for my new car to arrive and I'm not loving the automatic driving experience ☹️

Please try and sell it to me? Spent a lot of money and waited close to a year, really really want to like it

OP posts:

SpnBaby1967 · 10/05/2021 14:22

I always felt like not driving a manual would make me feel like I wasnt "driving" the car. But I got my car in July and could only get the automatic and honestly its been a game changer.

Took some getting used to, I had a tendency to come up on roundabouts too quick as there was no engine breaking like in a manual but it really is so easy to drive.

DappledThings · 10/05/2021 14:38

I'm left handed and struggle with having more strength in my left hand and having to take it off the wheel to change gears which means I'm only confident in autos or left hand drive.
I always thought I had an advantage being left-handed when it came to driving. I would naturally use my left hand for most things so it being the one I use to change gear and my right hand just has to hold onto the wheel makes driving easier!

DelurkingAJ · 10/05/2021 15:01

We’ve just switched and I’m really struggling with parallel parking...I can’t make the car crawl in the way I can our manual car.

SkodaKodiaq · 10/05/2021 15:06

@CovidCorvid

Oh my God it’s amazing.

I got one for health reasons due to a gammy leg....I’d never go back and don’t know why people have manuals. In stop/start traffic in town it’s so great to not be having to swap,from 1st, 2nd, neutral, repeat, repeat. Pressing the clutch constantly, etc.

My automatic has some sort of manual mode where I can use the gearstick to change gears (no clutch) and I do even bother with that.

Hill starts are no bother due to the creep....Not that I ever struggled with them before but it’s still easier. It’s just so much simpler all round.

I freaking love using cruise control on the motorway, nothing to do but steer.

Dh hates them, but don’t think he’s ever really driven one.

Think they’re meant to be more economical. Dream to tow the caravan with.

As an auto driver I can assure they are most certainly NOT more economical! One of the only downsides

FishyFriday · 10/05/2021 15:08

I now prefer driving my husband's automatic to my manual but only because I dislocated my left elbow and it's never healed properly. So changing gear is a bit crap.

SkodaKodiaq · 10/05/2021 15:09

@dementedma

Dd drives an automatic and I hate it when I have to borrow it. Sluggish and dull

I promise you they are not all like that! Every automatic is different. Mine is like a rocket!

Etulosba · 10/05/2021 15:10

Because I am lazy and I can't be arsed changing gear when the car can do it for me.

I went auto in 1990 and have managed to convert all my immediate family to the joys of two pedal driving since. Some were very sceptical at first.

looptheloopinahulahoop · 10/05/2021 15:21

Because you can concentrate on driving and not worry about gears.

We have automatic everything else - people can't even put lights or windscreen wipers on by themselves, yet they insist on gears. I just don't get it.

Anyway, other than mild hybrids (assuming they take off in any meaningful way) hybrids and electric cars are automatics.

newnortherner111 · 10/05/2021 15:24

Mum loved it when driving (has stopped now) given her back condition. I dislike the lesser control I feel with one.

Equimum · 10/05/2021 15:25

It’s just much easier to drive an automatic. We always had manuals before our current car, and this makes just about every journey easier.

Graffitiqueen · 10/05/2021 15:26

My car is a manual, Dh's is an auto. we bothe prefer driving the auto. So much easier.

DeRigueurMortis · 10/05/2021 15:28

I love cars/driving and I never thought I'd ever buy an auto...

But about 10 years ago the car I wanted had an auto gearbox and I took the plunge.

Tbh I've never looked back. It might perhaps be that the car (and ones I've had since) also have a semi manual mode where you can use the gear stick or paddles on the steering wheel to change gear if I want - so I still have the option of full control over the gearing when I want it.

That said driving day to day it's nearly always in auto.

Like most people I guess most of my driving is on crappy congested roads and frankly not having to bother changing gear makes the experience marginally more tolerable.

However when I do get to go on a "good" road I'm quick to shift back into semi manual.

TheMirrorofHerDreams · 10/05/2021 15:34

I was advised by a advanced driving instructor (and ex mechanic) that an automatic changes gear when it needs to. Whereas people tend to do it in a manual when they think it 'sounds right' and that is not normally in the correct range. (it's a lot higher than you think and people don't like the noise so tend to make the change lower)

HopingForOurRainbowBaby · 10/05/2021 15:34

Give me a manual any day!! Tried an automatic once and hated it. Felt so weird not changing up or down gears. Also didn't feel safe pulling out of a junction first without completely stopping because it didn't feel as though the car would slow down to safe enough speed. My OH however much prefers an automatic especially when he's driving a HGV

cupsofcoffee · 10/05/2021 15:50

I've driven both but passed in a manual.

Second-hand manual cars are still cheaper than automatics and that played a big part in it for me. I'm glad I have the option of both.

MajorNeville · 10/05/2021 16:06

I hate automatics, it's such a dull drive. I lived in the states and had to hunt around for a manual car. Taught a few of my friends how to drive it and they all ended up much preferring it.

Eilethya · 10/05/2021 16:50

I have a DSG and it also has paddles to shift gear. It is a track car tbf as it's a hobby.

Automatic driving to work, leaves me one hand spare to drink my brew, manual for fun!

Etulosba · 10/05/2021 18:18

Most modern autos give you the option to shifty manually if you want to make life hard for yourself. Even ones without flappy paddles.

bigbeatmanifesto · 12/05/2021 10:11

@DappledThings

I'm left handed and struggle with having more strength in my left hand and having to take it off the wheel to change gears which means I'm only confident in autos or left hand drive. I always thought I had an advantage being left-handed when it came to driving. I would naturally use my left hand for most things so it being the one I use to change gear and my right hand just has to hold onto the wheel makes driving easier!

Which is what most left handed people say when I tell them my reasoning they think it's very odd, I broke my right wrist a few years ago and still have soft tissue damage and I just feel very weird about not having my left hand on the wheel at all times. Ive also broke my left wrist but haven't had the same issues as the strength came back pretty much straight away. Left hand drive in an automatic is amazing as a left handed person. Right hand drive in a manual is utterly terrifying for me.

JimBobNoJob · 12/05/2021 10:35

I had a dual logic, hated the automatic mode as you could feel the gear shift and it would lurch slightly forward. So opted to use the Manuel mode. Was really weird changing gear without clutch and pushing the gear stick up and down. But that bloody thing started losing complete power and stop dead in the middle of the road.
Decided to go back to a Manuel car. I understand dual logic is nothing like a proper Auto but that experience put me off. I like to feel in control.

Dh drives an auto, as he has a knee replacement so finds Manuel painful.

TwoShades1 · 12/05/2021 11:14

I’m in Australia where most people have automatics. It’s great, you just go, stop and turn! In my opinion manual is for people who are really into cars, like as a proper hobby.

DappledThings · 12/05/2021 11:18

DH is picking it up on Friday. I will have to bite the bullet and practice in it sometime over the weekend I suppose. Not looking forward to it.

Oblomov21 · 12/05/2021 11:26

I don't like it either. Had mine for a month now. Driven Dh's very occasionally for years, didn't mind it. Now I do,

Got a new (not new-new, just new to me) second hand hybrid. All the cars are automatic these days. Soon there won't be any manual cars.

I'm not enthralled. I miss driving a manual. Soon none of us will have the choice.

DappledThings · 12/05/2021 11:31

All the cars are automatic these days. Soon there won't be any manual cars.
Dealer said that to me 5 years ago when we got our other car and I insisted on a manual. Now we are changing our second car to this hybrid one and so has to be automatic. I do resent being pushed into it a bit.

My parents in their 70s are going to get a new car soon and want an electric one. Think it will be a shock to them it has to be manual too. 4 years ago we were all on holiday together with a hire car. All 4 of us insured then in the end only DH and my dad drive. Mum and I were too scared, not of the left-hand drive but of the automatic and not knowing how to do it!

Glittertwins · 12/05/2021 12:18

My current and previous other two are / have been automatics. Not sure if BMW are reducing the manufacturing of manuals but I couldn't get the car I wanted as a manual. It does make driving in towns and unfamiliar places much easier as I can focus totally on the road with two hands on the steering wheel rather than having to change gear.
DH prefers it when in stop start traffic - his knee used to ache quite badly in 45 min commutes down country lanes.

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